Jordan River Trail

The Jordan River Trail links Brighton and Pontville along a flat, well-formed path beside the river, and it is the walk most local dog owners default to. The main out-and-back stretch runs about 4.5 kilometres through a quiet rural setting with colonial sandstone buildings, the 1842 Jordan River Bridge and wetlands full of waterbirds along the way, and a longer circuit pushes out to roughly 9 kilometres if your dog wants more.

The walk

Surface is smooth gravel and concrete for nearly the whole route, graded easy, so it suits prams, older walkers and dogs of any fitness level. Access points sit off Andrew Street, Ford Road, or near the Pontville Bridge on the Midland Highway, which makes it simple to shorten the walk by turning back at any point. The scenery is open farmland and riverbank rather than bush, with plenty of shade in parts but long exposed stretches too.

Leash status

Dogs stay on lead along the whole trail. This is a shared path used by walkers, runners, cyclists and, in places, horse riders, so a dog under control matters more than usual here. Keep your dog close when horses pass and expect oncoming bikes on the straight sections.

Max: keep the lead on the whole way. Between the horse traffic and the road-adjacent sections, this is not the place to test recall.

Water and hazards

The trail runs beside the Jordan River the entire way, with informal spots for a paddle, but there is no dedicated dog water point, so carry a bowl and water, particularly in the warmer months. Sections run close to the road, so mind traffic near the highway end. After heavy rain the trail can flood in low-lying spots, so check conditions before heading out if the weather has been wet.

Getting there and parking

The trailhead is about 25 to 30 minutes north of Hobart via the Midland Highway. Free car parking sits off Andrew Street and near the Ford Road crossing, and public toilets are on the other side of Brighton Road near the trackhead. The trail is open around the clock, though daylight is the practical window.

When to go

Weekend mornings bring out walkers, runners and plenty of dogs, so the sociable hours are busy by design. Weekday mornings or mid-afternoon are quieter if your dog prefers space. Summer afternoons along the exposed stretches get hot, so go early or late in the warmer months.

More walks nearby

For an off-lead run before or after, Brighton Fenced Dog Park is a short drive away, and Dromedary Walk at Bridgewater adds another riverside route to the list. Lythgo's Row Colonial Cottages in Pontville takes dogs if you are making a weekend of it.

More routes are on the Tasmania dog trails guide and the Pontville destination page.